02-12-1990 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Y I MINUTES OF ORONO COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 1990 • HIGHWAY 12 CORRIDOR SELECTION CONTINUED It was moved by Mayor Grabek, seconded by Councilmember Nettles, to appoint the Mayor and City Administrator as the representatives for the Policy Committee, and to delay the appointment to the Technical Advisory Committee until further information is received. Staff is directed to advertise for the Citizen Task Force position and to provide certain criteria for that position. Nettles asked whether the Citizen Task Force would exclude Council persons? Bernhardson said that he would look into that further. Motion, Ayes -2, Councilmember Goetten, Nay, Motion passed. CANINE PROGRAM Bernhardson said that the City had taken the position that the dog the officer used would be his pet. However, that Fair Labor Standards has taken the position that feeding and grooming the dog is work and that the Police Officer should be compensated for his time. Bernhardson presented a memo providing various ways in which other communities are handling this. Bernhardson recommended that the Officer work a full shift, rather than 7 -1/2 hours, compensate him in the equivalent compensatory time in shifts that are taken off. The compensatory time that the Officer takes off will be filled by the part -time Officer. Councilmember Goetten asked what the annual cost of the • program will be? Bernhardson replied, "Originally we were looking at $500.00 for the actual fees for the dog and $1,000.00 for compensation. However, due to the Fair Labor Standards requirement for overtime, we are estimating the $1,000.00 to increase to $1,400.00. The total estimated cost would be $1,900.00." Councilmember Nettles asked whether it would be feasible to take the dog to a kennel at the end of the shift? Bernhardson said that such an arrangement would perhaps interfere with the rapport between the Officer and dog but they would look into it. Goetten said that she was concerned that this program is getting more and more expensive and that Orono could work with other cities when a canine unit is needed. Goetten said that she cannot support this. Chief Kilbo said, "We are talking about an additional $1400.00 to a $950,000.00 budget. I have been lucky in the last 5 years in keeping the budget within constraints. This is not much to pay for a program that might reap some excellent benefits." • It was moved by Mayor Grabek, seconded by Councilmember Nettles, to accept the recommendation of staff in administering the canine program. Motion, Ayes -2, Councilmember Goetten, Nay, Motion passed. 17